What a change we have experienced in the last month! It has definitely been challenging to try to figure out our ‘new normal’. Please know I have all of you in my thoughts and prayers. One of many things I have learned in my ten years at Prince of Peace is that our parishioners are faith-filled, Christ-centered, strong and resilient. With God’s grace and work of His hands, we will get through this. Keep praying!!! God is good and walking right beside us through it all!

As we continue to adapt on a daily, or hourly, basis, Prince of Peace will follow the COVID-19 recommendations of our Diocesan leaders and Bishop Hanefeldt regarding church activities and proceedings. These are consistent with, and include, recommendations from the World Health Organization [WHO] and the Center for Disease Control [CDC].

You might be wondering if or when we will resume Faith Formation classes and Sacraments. As you have probably heard, Governor Ricketts issued a directive to close schools through May 31, 2020, and Prince of Peace will comply with that mandate for faith formation as well. There is no definite return date at this time. Prince of Peace will defer to our Bishop, the WHO, CDC, and others’ recommendations, to determine the safest decision for our children and families.

I hope this is not the end of faith formation in your homes! Now, more than ever, your children need your spiritual guidance. They need to see, from their parents and loved ones, the importance and power of your Catholic faith. This faith will help us get through this time. It is important that your child’s faith is not set aside. I encourage you to keep Wednesday evenings or Sunday mornings reserved for faith formation in your home. It will be easy to focus on schoolwork and the chaos, what may not be as easy is honing in on faith formation and telling the kids that you are reserving a specific time as a family to secure eternity. Please remember, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children” (2223). I will be posting several activities and websites on our Prince of Peace Faith Formation Facebook page, which you can print or utilize as guides for faith-based

activities.

In-person Sunday masses have been suspended at Prince of Peace for an indefinite time. This is another hurdle we have to jump! Fr. Paul assisted by Deacon Thomas Martin, and other priests have been graciously offering daily and Sunday masses online. If you would like to attend our PRINCE OF PEACE free, live-streamed mass, please log into the parish Facebook page or you can watch it at a time convenient for you and your family on YouTube (go to YouTube and search

for Prince of Peace, Kearney, Ne and subscribe).

A suggestion would be to change the atmosphere: set up a room as ‘church’, light a candle, place some sacramentals (religious items), dress in your ‘Sunday best’ and sit together to ‘attend church with your family’! I invite you to continue to go through the motions of the mass, properly make the Sign of the Cross, genuflect before sitting, recite aloud the prayers, and follow along.

The rhyme of the mass is important. If you know the hymns, make a joyful noise and end mass

with the prayer to St. Michael. Make this as natural as possible. Show the children how important attending Sunday mass is even if we cannot be in the church building. Remember WE are the church! Teach them how to make a spiritual communion. (There are instructions on the Prince of Peace Facebook page.) Live Virtuously and Rejoice in the Lord!

Fr. Paul and I continue to discuss and work on a plan for First Communion. We have not forgotten about these kiddos who have worked so hard to learn their prayers and to prepare for the Sacraments. We appreciate your patience as we await word from our Bishop. I will be contacting all First Communion candidates and parents in the next couple weeks. PLEASE continue to practice prayers every day. This is a great teaching moment! Don’t let this pass you by!

Totus Tuus is currently still scheduled for June this year; however, that could change. I will send a ‘save the date’ in the near future.

We miss you and would love to hear from you! We hope you continue to send feedback for us to post on our Prince of Peace Faith Formation Page and other social feeds.

As we begin Holy Week, please take time to reflect on the Paschal Mystery, Jesus Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection. Remember during this time of distress that goodness is foundational, and evil is not. It is through Jesus’ resurrection that we will be redeemed and find eternal happiness and beatitude. Help our children know that we are all inclined toward flourishing with God.

If you have questions, concerns, or need support, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Again, I am praying for all of us! Please continue to pray with me daily.